• About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News
  • Epaper
  • Odisha
  • Twin City
  • National
  • World
  • Sports
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
No Result
View All Result
  • Epaper
  • Odisha
  • Twin City
  • National
  • World
  • Sports
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
No Result
View All Result
Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News
No Result
View All Result

Home » BJD Gags Leaders: No Speaking to Media Allowed

BJD Gags Leaders: No Speaking to Media Allowed

BJD Grapples with Internal Strife as Leadership Faces Mounting Pressure

Yajati Rout by Yajati Rout
April 8, 2025
in Odisha, Politics, Trending Now, Uncategorized
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
0
Naveen Patnaik cervical arthritis surgery
0
SHARES
27
VIEWS

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Odisha’s long-standing regional powerhouse, finds itself in the throes of an escalating internal crisis as factionalism and leadership disputes threaten to unravel the party’s unity.


Recent developments, including the controversial handling of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Rajya Sabha and a lack of clarity from party supremo Naveen Patnaik, have fueled discontent among senior leaders and rank-and-file members alike.

The unrest began when the BJD refrained from issuing a whip during the Rajya Sabha vote on the Waqf Bill, allowing its MPs to vote according to their conscience—a stark departure from its initial stance of opposing the legislation. This decision led to a split within the party, with MPs like Debasish Samantaray openly criticizing VK Pandian, Patnaik’s close aide, for allegedly orchestrating the shift. Samantaray has held Pandian responsible for the party’s dismal performance in the 2024 elections and its current disarray. In response, Pandian loyalists, including four MPs and Cuttack Mayor Subash Singh, have hit back, defending his legacy and arguing that he has been absent from politics for 10 months.

Amid this war of words, the party leadership has issued an unofficial directive—or “whip”—barring members from speaking to the media or mentioning Pandian’s name in party matters. Senior leaders like Arun Sahu, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, and Sanjay Dasburma have toed the line, focusing instead on the ongoing organizational elections at Shankha Bhawan. They insist the party remains united under Patnaik’s stewardship, dismissing the discord as minor turbulence. Yet, their reluctance to address the rift head-on has only deepened suspicions of a cover-up.

The BJD’s troubles trace back to its crushing defeat in the 2024 Assembly elections, ending its 24-year reign in Odisha. Ten months later, Patnaik has yet to commission a formal review of the loss, despite earlier promises. The Waqf Bill episode has now pushed the party to a tipping point, with senior figures like Prasanna Acharya and AU Singhdeo meeting Patnaik at Naveen Niwas to demand answers. Meanwhile, the old guard—nicknamed the “Puruna Brigade”—has been accused of sidestepping the crisis, metaphorically “eating rice from an unknown source” while projecting an image of business as usual.

As the BJD prepares for its organizational elections, with Pratap Keshari Deb appointed as State Returning Officer, the leadership faces a critical test. Can Patnaik, a towering figure in Odisha politics, quell the dissent and restore cohesion, or will the fissures widen, jeopardizing the party’s future? For now, the BJD’s attempts to downplay the chaos have only amplified the spotlight on its internal struggles.

Tags: BhubaneswarBJDInternal Conflictleadership crisisNaveen PatnaikOdisha Politicsorganizational electionsRajya SabhaVK PandianWaqf Bill 2025
Previous Post

‘No Pain, No Gain’ For Growth Of Sports And Sportspersons in India, Says Vijay Amritraj At Rising Bharat Summit

Next Post

100 Tons of Stolen Coal Seized in Sundargarh Crackdown

Yajati Rout

Yajati Rout

Yajati K. Rout is a dynamic journalist at Pragativadi, known for delivering nuanced and impactful storytelling that spans Odisha’s societal fabric to global sports arenas. His reporting navigates seamlessly between grassroots realities, high-profile political developments, and the pulse of international tennis and cricket. With a flair for SEO-driven storytelling and a deep cultural lens, Yajati crafts content that resonates with a diverse readership—bridging insight with accessibility.

Related Posts

Jasprit Bumrah
Sports

Jasprit Bumrah to Be Rested for 2nd Test vs England at Edgbaston Due to Workload Management: Reports

June 26, 2025
Campa Cola ad controversy Puri
Odisha

‘Campa Cola’ Faces Pilgrim Fury Over Billboard Near Srimandir

June 26, 2025
Odisha rain alert
Odisha

Low Pressure Spurs Intense Rainfall Across Odisha, IMD Sounds Alert

June 26, 2025
Next Post
Illegal Coal Mining in Sundargarh

100 Tons of Stolen Coal Seized in Sundargarh Crackdown

Cotton procurement under MSP

Govt Procures 100 Lakh Bales of Cotton Under MSP, Boosting Farmer Welfare

Poachers arrested in Odisha

Forest Officials Nab Three Poachers in Odisha's Hindol Range

Follow Us

Recommended

Odisha Heatwave 2025

Odisha Scorches Under Heatwave; Mercury Soars Beyond 43°C for Second Day

3 months ago
Passengers on New York-Delhi flight diverted to Rome

Passengers on New York-Delhi flight diverted to Rome

4 months ago
Remuna Tahasildar Arrested

Remuna Tahasildar Lands in Vigilance Net

5 months ago
Sensex and Nifty

Sensex, Nifty Soar as Easing Foreign Selling Fuels Market Rally

3 months ago

Instagram

    Please install/update and activate JNews Instagram plugin.

Highlights

Cuttack: RI, Amin Caught Taking Rs 12K Bribe in Land Mutation Case

Agyan Mala Reaches Chariot – Rath Yatra Countdown Begins

Bank Clerk Arrested for Embezzling Rs 70 Lakh in Ganjam

AIIMS Bhubaneswar Crowned 2nd Best Emerging Medical Institution in India

Capital Hospital Set to Nurture Future Doctors: Odisha Govt Proposes MBBS Courses

Shubhanshu Shukla Arrives at ISS Following Successful Dragon Spacecraft Docking

Trending

Jasprit Bumrah
Sports

Jasprit Bumrah to Be Rested for 2nd Test vs England at Edgbaston Due to Workload Management: Reports

by Ananya Pattnaik
June 26, 2025
0

India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah is reportedly set to miss the second Test against England at Edgbaston...

Campa Cola ad controversy Puri

‘Campa Cola’ Faces Pilgrim Fury Over Billboard Near Srimandir

June 26, 2025
Odisha rain alert

Low Pressure Spurs Intense Rainfall Across Odisha, IMD Sounds Alert

June 26, 2025
Kandarpur RI and Amin

Cuttack: RI, Amin Caught Taking Rs 12K Bribe in Land Mutation Case

June 26, 2025
Agyan Mala Rath Yatra 2025

Agyan Mala Reaches Chariot – Rath Yatra Countdown Begins

June 26, 2025
Facebook Twitter Youtube RSS

ABOUT US

News, as it should be covered, has been the forte of Pragativadi over the years. And this has ensured a classy readership encompassing the who’s who of the state. The people who matter in Odisha, depend on Pragativadi. For opinion leaders, decision makers and people with surplus disposable income Pragativadi is a must.

Follow us on social media:

Blog

The Chinese smartphone upstarts taking on Apple and Samsung

by pragativadinewsservice
January 11, 2025
0

Presidential Train Now Available For Jakartans Traveling To Bandung

by pragativadinewsservice
January 10, 2025
0

News Calendar

June 2025
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
« May    

© 2025 Pragativadi

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Epaper
  • Odisha
  • Twin City
  • Sports
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • National
  • World
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel

© 2025 Pragativadi